Local Palestinian Americans say they’re hopeful after Governor JB Pritzker expressed support for a resolution that would have blocked U.S. arms sales to Israel.
Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press with Kristen Welker” this month, Pritzker said the measure would send “the right kind of a message” to Israel amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“Israel needs to make sure that food assistance that ought to go to innocent Palestinians should arrive there, and they should do everything in there power to prevent the starvation that I think we’ve all seen,” Pritzker said.
The U.S. Senate rejected the effort to block sales last month … but a majority of Democratic Senators backed the measure.
Activists say Pritzker’s statement is significant to them after the governor expressed “disappointment” with a Chicago resolution calling for a ceasefire.
“I welcome the shift,” said Dua Aldasouqi, a member of the Champaign-Urbana Muslim Action Committee. “In terms of … there’s hopefully a light at the end of the tunnel. This genocide is going to end.”
She said Pritzker’s statement could also put pressure on other officials to support an end to the conflict.
“Him saying it is definitely a, almost like a a green light or an okay for others that are within his administration to also feel comfortable with making those changes,” said Aldasouqi.
Activists have been calling on Illinois officials to more actively push back against Israel’s military campaign. That includes pressuring Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs to pull back the state’s investments in Israeli development bonds.